Biomedical Waste

Program Description 

The 1993 Florida Legislature provided funding for the Biomedical Waste Program, from the Solid Waste Management Trust Fund. Additional funding is provided through the annual permitting of facilities that generate at least 25 pounds of biomedical waste in any 30-day period. These permitted facilities are inspected annually.

Facilities which generate biomedical waste (hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, laboratories, funeral homes, dentists, veterinarians and physicians) are some of the facilities that may require an annual operating permit. Facilities that produce less than 25 pounds of biomedical waste in each 30-day period and can document this for a minimum of one year can apply for an exemption from permitting and fee requirements, and are inspected every three years. These facilities must still meet the other requirements found in Chapter 64E-16, Florida Administrative Code.

Both the Florida Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Protection have responsibilities under this program. The Department of Environmental Protection has primary responsibility for biomedical waste incineration and final disposal. The Florida Department of Health has primary authority and responsibility for facilities that generate, transport, store, or treat biomedical waste through processes other than incineration.

For more information on this program, contact the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County at (352) 334-7930 or write to:

Florida Department of Health in Alachua County
ATTN: BMW Coordinator
224 SE 24th Street
Gainesville, FL 32656